Right-sided stellate ganglion block for persistent long COVID symptoms

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This single-center, randomized, controlled, single-blind trial assigns about 40 adults with long COVID in a 1:1 ratio to either an ultrasound-guided right-sided stellate ganglion block with bupivacaine or a placebo saline injection into the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Participants are followed for 26 weeks with scheduled symptom questionnaires and functional tests. Outcomes include changes in functional status, fatigue, cognitive complaints, quality of life, dyspnea, lower-limb endurance, and orthostatic tolerance, with safety monitoring at each visit. The trial compares a one-time active nerve block to a sham injection to determine whether the procedure changes persistent long-COVID symptoms versus placebo.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults aged 18 years and older
* Positive COVID-19 test confirmed by RT-PCR, antibody test, or antigen test at least 3 months prior to randomization, OR presumed COVID-19 evaluated by the site investigator (no positive test required) with an acute illness occurring after October 15, 2019 and at least 3 months prior to randomization.
* Persistent symptoms ≥12 weeks after onset of acute COVID-19 AND symptoms lasting at least 2 months. The onset date is defined as the earliest of: date of first positive test, date of first symptoms
* Post-COVID Functional Status Scale score ≥2.
* Persistent dyspnea ≥2/4 on the mMRC scale at least 12 weeks post-infection.
* Persistent COVID-19-related symptoms at the time of randomization.
* If taking medications for fatigue or cognition (e.g., sildenafil, modafinil, armodafinil, guanfacine, N-acetylcysteine, stimulants for ADHD), these must have been initiated and stable for ≥4 weeks prior to randomization. Participants are asked not to stop or alter these medications during the study if possible.
* Able and willing to provide written informed consent.
* Able to read and understand French.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Prior diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or fibromyalgia
* Being on sick leave or disability at the time of the original acute COVID-19 infection.
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
* Myocardial infarction within the last 12 weeks.
* Use of anticoagulant therapy.
* Glaucoma.
* Emphysema requiring home oxygen.
* Cardiac conduction abnormalities.
* Known hypersensitivity to bupivacaine.
* Previous stellate ganglion block (SGB) procedure.
* Any condition that, in the judgment of the medical investigator, makes the patient not a candidate for the proposed treatment.

Where it's running

• Centre hospitalier affilié universitaire régional
  Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Marie-Claude Lehoux, Master's degree
• Email: marie-claude.lehoux@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
• Phone: 819 697-3333

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.